The fear factor and the silent treatment in Ocean Grove

Have any of you noticed that there is not a single organized group in town which is willing to join with Blogfinger readers in discussing and clarifying issues which our neighbors need to know about? In the case of the ground rent topic, why won’t the Camp Meeting help us out with clarity regarding a subject which affects them and us? Why is the OGHOA holding back on releasing the legal opinion about ground rents which was paid for with member money?

OK, so there is a suit and maybe the lawyer told the CMA to say nothing, but they have been silent on our forum for the last 8 years. The same thing happened during the Pavilion matter. But they are not the only ones—we have complained about the Chamber, OGU, Historical Society, Historic Preservation Commission, and Township elected officials among others.

We are not complaining on behalf of Blogfinger—- instead we are concerned about those readers who seek honest debate and factual discourse on this site.

Perhaps you have observed that none of these groups offer the opportunity for discussion on their web sites. The Township Committee will scarcely allow citizens at their public meetings to bring up controversial issues.

I think that it is fear—-they are frightened to stand behind their views, to be honest with our readers, and, especially to have to answer questions in writing. They won’t even do it anonymously.

The only time that such interaction actually occurred was during the few years when Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn participated regularly in our comments section. That was illuminating, honest, caring, educational and a breath of fresh air, and we won’t forget her for that.

So we currently depend on courageous readers such as Dr. Carol, Joe D, Joe G, Sal, Wisher, Frank S, J.Cortese, Kevin Chambers, David, OhGee, Paulie D, A. Curmudgeon, Tom C, OGrover, Nancy, and many others who are not afraid to interact on BF. And, of course, we are grateful to Jack Bredin who courageously sticks his neck out regularly, uses his real name, and speaks truth to power on this blog and in person to the Committee.

However we would like the “players” themselves to join in, but they are frightened of being exposed.

Recently OGU invited its members to join a women’s protest march in Washington. But why won’t they invite their members to join the conversations here regarding our town and why did they tape their mouths shut in the shadows of the Great Auditorium when they demonstrated there, refusing to talk to us about their concerns in Ocean Grove ? Are our issues in this town less important than politics in Washington? Did they tape their mouths in D.C.?

The former Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, said that all politics are local, but we are having trouble getting the process going in the Grove because of fear and the corrosive silent treatment pervasive in this town.

Frank S. The organized groups that I am talking about are not apathetic; they are busy with their agendas which do not include engaging with the public. Of these groups, the most disgraceful are the OGHOA and the Township Committee.

There is public apathy; there always is, but during the last 3 days we had over 1,000 “hits” each day, so there is considerable interest. It’s just that the citizens don’t have the time or the wherewithal to engage these issues in a more meaningful way.

As for the demographic of second-homers, you are correct. They love the Grove, but they are disinterested in all the rest of it. However they really should be tuned in because their home values are tied into these issues.

Your assumption is that it’s fear. While possible, it’s also possible (or one could also assume) that:

1) your readers don’t represent the sentiments/thinking of the majority of OG, and/or
2) that your blog is not recognized by the various boards, societies, government bodies as a primary news source read by a significant portion of OG residents.
Yes, I know you have lots of reader views, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your blog is read by the majority of OG residents, or that views expressed represent a somewhat popular view. Just that your readers are more vocal than rest of residents), and/or

3) that the majority of the town doesn’t think, or find, it necessary “to join the protests here regarding our town” because they’re not as offended by the issues that you (or your readers) post.

Long Timer. Thank you for your speculations about who and how many Grovers visit Blogfinger.

However, I don’t think that your assumptions, even if accurate, are relevant, because even if only a few hundred like-minded Grovers were to visit BF regularly, then it should still be a worthy venue for public organizations such as those mentioned in the post to join our discussions. —Paul